Akalis, Congress trade charges at religious congregation

Fatehgarh Sahib (Punjab), Dec 26 (IANS) With assembly elections in the state to be held within the next few weeks, Punjab’s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and opposition Congress leaders blamed each other for pushing Punjab into a mess.

Taking centerstage during political conferences organized during the religious congregation of ‘Jor Mela’ at Fatehgarh Sahib to mark the sacrifice of two sons of tenth Sikh guru, Gobind Singh, leaders of both parties took potshots at each other.

“The Congress has ruined Punjab. It is anti-Punjab. Congress leaders like Amarinder Singh are misleading people on loan waiver for farmers, jobs for youth and other promises,” Akali Dal president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said in his address.

Taking a dig at the uncertainty in Congress on projecting its Chief Ministerial candidate, Badal said: “Amarinder Singh not sure if Congress will make him Chief Minister. So how can he make big promises.”

Badal also cautioned people against supporting the Aam Aadmi Party.

“Punjabi Suba was made for the honour of the (sikh) turban. You cannot allow the topiwalas (referring to the AAP cap) to rule Punjab. They have no interest in the welfare of the state. Don’t be mislead by them,” he said.

Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, in his address at a separate political conference held by the Congress, said that the nearly 10-year rule of the Akali Dal-BJP alliance government had pushed back development in the state.

“Industry has moved to other states. No new investment has come. Only one family has benefitted in all these years,” he said.

Leaders of both Akali Dal and Congress, urged people not to support the AAP, terming it as a party of outsiders.